Mohrfeld honored with SEIRPC's Leland McCosh Award

WEST BURLINGTON - Former Fort Madison Mayor Matt Mohrfeld was honored at Thursday's Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission meeting in West Burlington.
The Leland McCosh Award was presented to Mohrfeld upon nomination by Laura Liegois, Fort Madison City Manager, and Emily Benjamin, Lee County Economic Development Group President and CEO.
Mohrfeld served as Mayor of the City of Fort Madison from 2019 – 2025. During his years of service to the Fort Madison Community, he demonstrated leadership, forward thinking, and determination to achieve success by turning visions into reality.  
Improving curb appeal by addressing problem structures was addressed. Recreational improvements like adding pickleball courts and a dog park were completed. He was influential in leading public infrastructure improvements such as highway improvements and continued maintenance of city streets. The multi-year Historic Santa Fe Depot Restoration plan was completed which transformed the depot into a fully functioning Amtrak stop while preserving its architectural character.
During his last term, Mohrfeld was part of the team with city staff, city council members, engineers, and architects to advance the construction of the new fire station and consolidating public works into a single, efficient, new facility.
The monumental effort to reclaim and reimagine the city’s Marina and Riverview Park was led by Mohrfeld. He collaborated with civic leaders, boaters, businesses, and nonprofits to craft a visionary plan for a 177-slip marina, state-of-the-art floating docks, a flood-resilient hospitality center, and a fully renewed Riverview Park. His leadership helped secure more than $14 million in public and private investment, including FEMA support, Enhance Iowa grants, regional philanthropic contributions, and significant local backing, all of which fueled a multi-phase transformation that is restoring the city’s riverfront as a premier destination.
Fort Madison is experiencing a renewed sense of purpose, pride, and momentum because of Mohrfeld’s vision, collaboration, and dedication.
The Leland McCosh Award is presented each year in memory of Leland McCosh of Winfield, IA. The award recognizes outstanding public service by a public or elected official by the recipients to citizens of his/her community, county, and the greater area of Southeast Iowa. Leland McCosh was the long-serving mayor from Winfield, IA, and played a key part in establishing SEIRPC in addition to his outstanding service to Winfield.
Recipients from the past five years are: Paul Walker (Mayor, West Point), Hans Trousil (Mayor, City of West Burlington), Jon Billups (Mayor, City of Burlington), Jerry Kirk (Mayor, City of Letts), and Greg Moeller (Henry County Supervisor).   
SEIRPC is one of 17 councils of governments (COGs) in Iowa and recognized in Chapter 28H of Iowa Code. SEIRPC is a local government member-supported entity and serves Des Moines, Henry, Lee, and Louisa counties and provides planning, grant writing, technical services and program management for the region. SEIRPC is governed by a 17-member board of directors and manages SEIBUS, Great River Housing Trust Fund, Mediapolis Housing Trust Fund, Southeast Iowa Housing, Inc., Southeast Iowa Regional and Economic Port Authority, Region 16 Regional Transportation Planning Affiliate, and Southeast Iowa Economic Development District.